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HB 895

HEALTH/MEDICAL TREATMENT: Provides relative to the treatment of sexual assault survivors by hospitals and healthcare providers (EN NO IMPACT See Note)

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Delisha Boyd and 1 co-sponsor

Louisiana HB 895 requires hospitals to provide emergency contraception and HIV/STI PEP to sexual assault survivors, with care guided by standard drug information guidelines.

Effective date: 08/01/2026.
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Bill Summary · HB 895

Summary of HB 895 (Louisiana 2026 Regular Session)

Purpose and intent

  • This bill amends existing law to govern medical treatment of sexual assault survivors by hospitals and healthcare providers.
  • It focuses on ensuring medically indicated medications are provided during forensic medical examinations, specifically emergency contraception and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Key provisions and changes

  • Revisions to R.S. 40:1216.1(A)(2)(e):
    • All licensed hospitals and healthcare providers must offer information to sexual assault survivors about the available treatment under this section.
    • Survivors presenting for treatment must be examined and treated without undue delay in a private space, by a qualified healthcare provider.
    • The examination and treatment, including the forensic medical examination, should be adapted to address each survivor’s unique needs.
    • An advocate (privileged communications as provided by law, if available) may remain in the examination room with the survivor, with the survivor’s consent.
    • With survivor consent, the examination and treatment of all survivors shall include, at minimum:
    • Anymedicationprovidedduringtheforensicmedicalexamination, which may include the examination itself (language indicates accommodations and scope of care).
    • A healthcare provider shall make available to each survivor, when medically indicated:
      • Emergency contraception.
      • HIV or STI post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for not less than a three-day supply (as originally drafted).
  • Amendments adopted by committee (House Health and Welfare):
    • The proposed three-day minimum supply of HIV/STI PEP was removed from the final language.
    • The bill, instead, requires that healthcare providers make available emergency contraception and HIV/STI PEP to be administered in accordance with the Drug Information Handbook.
  • Final text reflects:
    • Emergency contraception must be available.
    • HIV/STI PEP must be available and administered according to the Drug Information Handbook (a recognized reference for drug information).

Who is affected

  • All licensed hospitals and healthcare providers in Louisiana.
  • Sexual assault survivors who seek medical treatment and forensic examinations.
  • Advocates (if available) may participate in examinations, subject to survivor consent.
  • Medical staff must comply with the specified treatment standards during forensic examinations.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • The bill establishes non-negotiable patient-centered processes:
    • Private examination space to ensure health, safety, and welfare.
    • Timely treatment with attention to the survivor’s needs.
    • Documentation and provision of information about treatment options.
  • Implementation details:
    • Providers must follow the Drug Information Handbook when administering HIV/STI PEP.
    • The amendments clarify that the three-day minimum supply is not mandated by this version of the bill; rather, PEP should be available and administered per standard drug information guidelines.
  • Effective date: Not specified in the provided text; typically set by statute upon passage or in a subsequent section.

Practical impact and considerations

  • Increases clarity on how PEP and emergency contraception are to be provided during forensic exams.
  • Shifts from a fixed minimum duration (three days) to administration based on standard drug information guidelines, potentially affecting duration and dosing decisions.
  • Emphasizes survivor consent, privacy, and the option for an advocate to participate during the exam.
  • Aims to standardize care across facilities and ensure medically appropriate treatment is offered promptly to survivors.

If you would like, I can compare this bill to existing Louisiana statutes or provide a one-page briefing for policymakers or advocacy groups.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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